reach for

phrasal verb

reached for; reaching for; reaches for
1
: to move one's hand in order to get or touch (someone or something)
She reached for the salt and pepper.
He reached into his pocket for a dime.
2
: to try hard to achieve or succeed at (something)
Success won't come to you, you have to reach for it.

Examples of reach for in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But even despite Obama’s presidency, the Promised Land remains out of reach for most. Literary Hub, 12 Dec. 2025 Reps for Sony couldn’t be reached for comment. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 12 Dec. 2025 Dewhurst-Summers could not be reached for comment. Charlotte Observer, 12 Dec. 2025 Bannon could not be reached for comment on Friday. Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 12 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reach for

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Reach for.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reach%20for. Accessed 14 Dec. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!